Smith.ai Pricing vs Ansdale: AI Receptionist Cost Compared
Both Smith.ai and Ansdale answer your business phone and book appointments. The difference is the model: Smith.ai’s AI receptionist is billed per call and backed by live agents, while Ansdale is AI only at a flat monthly price with call minutes included. This page sets out Smith.ai pricing, Ansdale pricing and what each costs at a realistic call volume.
Smith.ai pricing (AI receptionist, October 2026)
| Smith.ai plan | Monthly price | Calls included | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 25 | $3.00 per extra call |
| Pro | $150 / $270 / $500 | 75 / 150 / 300 | $2.00 / $1.80 / $1.67 per call |
| Enterprise | $500 / $800 / custom | 300 / 500 / 1,000+ | $1.67 / $1.60 per call |
Calls above a plan’s allowance are billed per call, between about $2.30 and $3.00 depending on the plan. Source: smith.ai/pricing/ai-receptionist, checked 19 October 2026.
Ansdale pricing
Ansdale is $49, $99 or $199 a month with 100, 250 or 500 AI call minutes included, booking on every plan and no per-call fees. Extra minutes are billed at a flat per-minute rate rather than cutting calls off. Full detail on the AI receptionist pricing page.
What 100 calls a month costs on each
On Smith.ai, 100 calls fits the 150-call Pro plan at $270, or the 75-call plan at $150 plus 25 extra calls at $2.50, about $212.50. On Ansdale the bill depends on minutes, not calls: if your calls average around two and a half minutes, 100 calls is roughly 250 minutes, which is the Growth plan at $99. Longer calls would put you on Pro at $199. Run the numbers on your own average call length before deciding.
Where Smith.ai is stronger
Human backup. Smith.ai’s AI receptionist is backed by live North America-based agents, so calls that need a person can be escalated to one. For law firms, medical practices and other professional services where callers may be distressed or the intake is complex, that matters, and it is the core of Smith.ai’s offer.
A free starting plan. The Free plan covers 25 calls a month, which suits a very low-volume business testing the idea.
Integrations. Smith.ai connects to a wide range of CRMs and practice management tools (Clio, Salesforce, HubSpot and others), a good fit for businesses with an established software stack.
Where Ansdale is stronger
Flat monthly pricing. No per-call charges. A busy storm week and a quiet week cost the same up to your included minutes, which suits seasonal trades like HVAC, roofing and lawn care.
Built for home service calls. Ansdale is set up for contractors: emergency triage under rules you write, escalation to your on-call number, and the job booked into your calendar during the call with two-way Google Calendar sync.
Simplicity. Ansdale is built for small service teams of one to ten people who need the phone answered and the job booked. Most are answering calls the same day they sign up.
Which one should you choose?
Choose Smith.ai if your calls are sensitive or complex (legal intake, medical, financial), you want live receptionists as a safety net, and per-call pricing suits your volume.
Choose Ansdale if most of your calls are booking requests, pricing questions and after-hours emergencies, the pattern for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing and most home service businesses, and you want a flat monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Smith.ai cost?
Smith.ai’s AI receptionist is free for 25 calls a month. Pro is $150 a month for 75 calls, $270 for 150 or $500 for 300. Enterprise starts at $500 for 300 calls. Extra calls are billed per call (checked October 2026).
Does Smith.ai charge per call?
Yes. Smith.ai plans include a number of calls, and calls above the allowance are billed individually, from about $2.30 to $3.00 each depending on the plan.
Is there a cheaper Smith.ai alternative for home service businesses?
Ansdale is a flat $49, $99 or $199 a month with 100 to 500 AI call minutes and booking included on every plan, built for contractors and home service businesses. It does not include live human agents.